Simply irresistible: Resistance bands

CaptionTricep kickback

Brandon Thibodeaux, Chicago Tribune

Place both feet on the band hip-width apart. Slightly hinge your upper body forward at the waist, keeping your chest, shoulders and head in alignment. Grasp the handles of the band with each hand; pull your elbows back and push backward. Tips: Keep your elbow in a fixed position and focus on the push back to isolate the muscle.

Place both feet on the band hip-width apart. Slightly hinge your upper body forward at the waist, keeping your chest, shoulders and head in alignment. Grasp the handles of the band with each hand; pull your elbows back and push backward. Tips: Keep your elbow in a fixed position and focus on the push back to isolate the muscle. (Brandon Thibodeaux, Chicago Tribune)

Standing on your band with your feet in a narrow stance, hold your resistance band with both hands. Step one foot to the right and then move the left foot to meet it. Make bigger steps for greater resistance. Repeat and alternate direction for each repetition. Tip: Focus on keeping your upper body posture in alignment. Exaggerate side steps for greater resistance and isolating muscle groups. Muscles used: Glutes and thighs

Standing on your band with your feet in a narrow stance, hold your resistance band with both hands. Step one foot to the right and then move the left foot to meet it. Make bigger steps for greater resistance. Repeat and alternate direction for each repetition. Tip: Focus on keeping your upper body posture in alignment. Exaggerate side steps for greater resistance and isolating muscle groups. Muscles used: Glutes and thighs (Brandon Thibodeaux, Chicago Tribune)

Transform your home office, bedroom or even a closet into a home gym with the addition of one skinny, squishy, nearly weightless piece of equipment: the resistance band. A band, which costs about $10 at any sports equipment store, is essentially a rubber tube with handles on each end. It provides resistance against your muscles and, in the process, can give you a full-strength workout. They're also easy to pack when you're on the road. Resistance bands are sold in different strengths, from easy to hard. (They're often color-coded.) Start with the easiest one and, when you feel like your muscles aren't taxed anymore, gradually move to the harder ones. Kim Truman, a Dallas-based personal trainer, demonstrates how to use the resistance band to work every muscle in your body. Do each exercise 10 to 15 times for a full workout. — By Danielle Braff, Special to Tribune Newspapers (sunday@tribune.com)